Hookah is an ancient tradition that has been around for centuries. In the last few years, hookah has become a popular way to smoke tobacco and herbal products. Hookahs are traditionally made from brass or copper piping with a bowl on one end and a hose at the other end used to inhale smoke through water. The water filters out some of the harmful toxins in the smoke, but it does not filter out all of them.
This blog post will teach you how to clean your hookah hose so that you can enjoy hookah without worrying about toxic chemicals!
Table of Contents
Benefits of Cleaning Your Hookah
- Your smoke will taste better;
- You’ll have a lower chance of getting sick from bad bacteria that can grow in dirty hoses;
- Your hose will last longer;
- You’ll prolong the life of your hookah;
- You can also prevent staining your hookah;
- Cleaning is easier when sticking to a schedule instead of waiting until the hose has turned brown;
How to Clean Hookah Hoses: Steps
Detach the hose from the hookah base
Rinse out any remaining water or tobacco residue with warm, running water. Remove the mouthpiece and wash it thoroughly by hand using dish soap, then rinse clean with hot water until there are no more suds coming off of it. If you’re having a tough time removing all of the grime around your hose handle, soak your hands in some soapy water before trying again to make sure that everything is completely removed.
Once everything has been washed down, let them air dry for at least 30 minutes to an hour before reattaching anything back together. Make sure not to put too much weight on hoses once they are drying as this can cause kinks to form which will
Blow through the hose to make sure it’s clear
Blow through the hose to make sure it’s clear. If you still notice some resistance when inhaling, then use a pipe cleaner or bristle brush to get into those nooks and crannies that soap just can’t reach. Sometimes if there has been an especially bad build-up of grime in your hookah hoses, they might need more than one cleaning before being restored to their former glory. After all, you don’t want something so disgusting going back inside your mouth! It is crucial for smokers who have asthma or allergies not to go overboard on cleanings as this could cause problems breathing while smoking. Once everything is completely dry, reattach any bits and pieces that were removed earlier.
Rinse the hose if it is washable or replace it if it is not
If you can’t seem to get your hookah hoses back into tip-top shape, and they’re looking a bit worse for wear than usual, then there’s nothing wrong with replacing them altogether. This will provide an easier clean in the future as well – since most of the gunk has already been removed – so that you don’t have any unpleasant surprises on those special smoke sessions when friends come over! Once all pieces are dry, reattach everything together and enjoy another delicious session from your new-and-improved hookah experience.
Remove particulate matter from non-washable hoses
If your hose is made of a material that can’t be washed, then there are other methods to remove the remaining particles inside. Take your needle nose pliers and carefully twist them into any larger chunks or bits of grime that remain stuck to the interior walls before pulling outwards towards the end (with as much care as possible). This will pull off all lint, ash, tobacco leftovers, etc.
Blow through this after doing so in order to make sure it’s clear enough for use. Then rinse with warm water followed by hot water until no more suds come up – which means everything has been removed! Let air dry completely before using it again.
These methods are also great for clearing out the end of your hose that attaches to your hookah. This helps get rid of any build-up on this part, allowing more smoke through with ease. Once everything is dry, you can reattach or replace pieces if needed and enjoy another wonderful session from your clean hookah!
Cleaning a Hookah Hose without Water: Steps
Blow through the hose. If you’re not able to blow through your hookah hose, it might be clogged with particulate matter that has built up over time. Using a pen or another similar item, carefully poke into one end of your hookah’s mouthpiece until you feel resistance due to the blockage. Carefully work it out of there and discard whatever was blocking your hose. Rinse out any remaining water or tobacco residue with warm, running water before reattaching the mouthpiece back onto the base again.
If you are unable to remove all particles from inside non-washable hoses, use an alcohol solution instead by filling up half of a cup with 90 percent isopropyl rubbing alcohol (or the highest proof vodka you can get your hands on) and the other half with water. Carefully pour this solution inside of each hose one at a time, plug up the ends by covering them with your hand, shake it to mix everything together well, then let all of that sit for about ten minutes before blowing into it again. Repeat these steps until there is no more discoloration coming out when you blow through each hose.
Once they are washed down or have been blown clean, set them aside to air dry separately from your hookah base for at least 30 minutes to an hour before putting anything back together again. Make sure not to put too much weight onto hoses while they are drying as this can cause kinks in them that will affect how well they pull air through.
The rice method
You can also follow the steps below to clean out your hoses if you don’t have access to water or it is simply more convenient for you:
- Take apart all of the pieces that make up your hookah’s base;
- Wrap them in a towel and place each component into its own zip-lock bag before placing those bags into another larger one with some uncooked rice (or silica packets);
- Let everything sit overnight, then take them back out again. The rice will soak up any moisture still leftover inside each hose, mouthpiece while reducing the chances of rust developing on metal components within;
You can use this same process without using rice filling up 2 bottles halfway with rubbing alcohol, then sealing the lids on each one tightly. Shake them around until everything has mixed well before inserting hoses and mouthpieces (plugging up their ends first) into these bottles to soak for an hour or two. If you choose this method instead of using rice, make sure that all pieces are completely dry before reassembling your hookah.
What Do You Need to Know About Cleaning a Hookah Hose: Tips for Users
- It’s best to clean a hookah hose as soon as possible after use. After every smoke session, it is important that you rinse your hoses out with water or soak them in vinegar and salt solution. This will prevent the bad smell of stale smoke;
- If you don’t clean your hookah hose after every use, it’s best to do so at least once a week. There are different ways on how to go about cleaning one’s hookah hoses properly and effectively;
- First things first, you need to take all components apart before washing or soaking them in solution then scrub each piece with an old toothbrush until no more residue comes off onto the brush when brushing against another surface;
- You can also soak some pieces separately for faster results if they are made out of material that shouldn’t be soaked together like wood vs silicone tubing for example;
- Rinse all parts with water and dry them by using a towel or cloth before assembling everything back together;
- After cleaning your hoses thoroughly, store them in an open area to let them dry completely which could take up to 24 hours depending on the humidity of where you live;
- You can also speed things up by placing each cleaned piece into the front of an electric fan for several minutes until they are most definitely bone dry;
- After drying, reassemble every component then brush again with another old toothbrush just to make sure that there is no residue left anywhere else. Then rub some vegetable oil along the length of your new hookah hose so as not to have any more black marks on your hands after handling it later on;
FAQ
How do you know if your hookah hose is washable?
If your hookah hose has a removable mouthpiece, it is most likely washable. If the entire hose was made from one material that cannot be separated into different pieces then you can’t take it apart and clean it separately.
How do you clean a hookah silicone hose:
- Do not use hot water on a silicone hose. This can cause damage to the material or even worse affect its performance in some cases when using heat-sensitive liquids such as alcohol-based mixes that might melt the hose if they’re too hot when added into them during the shisha session preparation process;
- Warm water works just fine, ideally lukewarm though do not go above 100 degrees Fahrenheit;
- Using soap is optional unless there’s too much buildup inside the hose itself where only soapy wash would remove it effectively;
- Rinse the soap out thoroughly until no more bubbles are seen. You might need to run water through it a couple of times or so just in case there’s still some traces of residue inside that can affect taste during the shisha session preparation process;
- Some hoses come with vinegar wash already performed on them, especially those made from silicone rubber material where this substance is known to help remove chemical buildup leftover by certain types of hookah molasses used for preparing tobacco mixes that contain sugar-based ingredients such as honey or other additives like candy mix flavors for example;
- Allow the hose to dry thoroughly before using it again. You can use a clean paper towel or cloth for this purpose, just make sure there’s no excess moisture left inside where mold spores might grow and ruin your smoking session if they’re not dealt with immediately by drying out the interior of the hookah silicone hose completely until all traces of water have evaporated off entirely from within it. If you wish to speed up the process simply blow air through one end of it so any droplets remaining will come out via breath;
- Store the hose away in a safe place where no sunlight can reach it or moisture for that matter to avoid any chances of mold growth inside, especially if you live in a humid climate zone. The best way is probably hanging your hose somewhere via a sturdy loop attached near either end so gravity has a better chance at pulling out any trapped condensation leftover between inner wall surfaces with constant airflow running through silicone material itself thanks fully to the passage of air from one end to another when the hose is hung up in this way;
How do you unclog a hookah hose?
You should use salt water or apple cider vinegar! The simplest method for cleaning these types of hoses is with salt water so let’s get right into how this works:
- Get some hot water boiling on the stove;
- Add about half a cup of salt to this while stirring until it dissolves completely;
- Let cool down for 2 minutes once boiled;
- Pour solution inside of the hookah hose and let sit for about 30 minutes;
- Rinse thoroughly with cold water;
If you have a more stubborn clog or if your saltwater method failed, try using apple cider vinegar. Just pour some inside of the tube while letting it soak in there overnight so that it can dissolve any buildup from the previous usage. This is especially useful to use on these types of hoses because they are usually made from vinyl that isn’t very resistant to acids such as this one. After doing its job just rinse out the solution with some hot water and repeat if needed!
Can you clean a hookah with dish soap?
Yes, you can clean a hookah with dish soap. Dish soap is very effective as it cuts through all the oils and fats on your hands. It also works well if you need to give your hookah hose and extra blackout cleaning session [1].
How often should you clean hookah?
This varies depending on your personal preference. Some people prefer to clean their hookah after every session, while others may wait longer. However, it is best practice to clean the hose and clean at least once a week [2].
How do you clean a plastic hose?
Hoses are typically made of plastic, which is easy to clean. Simply wash them in warm water with mild soap or dishwashing liquid. You can also use a glass cleaner product on the exterior part that encounters your mouth and lips when you inhale from it. Make sure everything has dried completely before using again so there’s no residue leftover.
How do you get mold out of hookah?
Milk is to be avoided. If you must use it, make careful to rinse every nook and cranny of your hookahs thoroughly, take everything apart, and wash it all. As for the bases, 90+%, rubbing alcohol, and Epsom salt is used. For 5 minutes, vigorously shake and then rinse with bleach solution if necessary [3].
Is it safe to clean hookah with bleach?
Some users claim it is safe to use bleach, the others do not recommend it. Instead, consider using hot water, then add a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice and a teaspoon of baking soda. To keep the hookah clean, occasionally rinse it with warm water. Allow all of the components to dry completely before using the hookah once more [4].
What happens if you don’t clean your hookah?
If the stem and downstem are not washed, tobacco molasses may accumulate. Tobacco molasses might cause your hookah sessions to taste bad and even ruin your hookah if it blocks the airflow. As a result, using a tiny brush is the greatest option before and after each session.
Useful Video: How to Clean Your Hookah Hose?
References:
- https://www.hookah-shisha.com/hookahlovenew/post/2008/05/25/whats-the-best-way-to-clean-my-hookah
- https://www.hookahcompany.com/how_to_clean_a_hookah.htm
- https://www.reddit.com/r/hookah/comments/3ni0fb/how_to_clean_mold_in_a_base
- https://myahookah.com/what-is-a-hookah/hookah-how-to